86 days remain until we finally get to witness the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. A total of 32 clubs from AFC, CAF, Concacaf, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA will compete across 63 matches for the prestigious trophy in the United States. In this new-look edition, we are witnessing some of the best teams divided into eight groups of four. While each group is bound to produce exciting matches, many have their eyes on Group H.
Why, you ask? That’s because it features some intriguing sides, including Spanish giants Real Madrid, Saudi Pro League’s Al Hilal, Mexico’s CF Pachuca, and Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg. Chills already, right? Well, just imagine the scenes when these teams go head-to-head. That only calls for an analysis of this emphatic group to see which side holds the greatest advantage.
2025 FIFA Club World Cup: Group H analysis
Al Hilal
Be it making big-name signings or winning trophies, Al Hilal manages to make the limelight. Last season was more than monumental for the Blue Waves, who secured the Saudi Pro League, Saudi Cup, and the Super Cup titles. They, however, came close to winning the AFC Champions League, after having been knocked out from the semi-finals. This year, however, has been steady yet slow for Al-Za’eem.
Al-Hilal players look dejected after the AFC Champions League Final Second leg match between Urawa Red Diamonds 1-0 Al-Hilal at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, Japan, May 6, 2023. Urawa won 2-1 on aggregate. Noxthirdxpartyxsales PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxJPN 219199802
Jorge Jesus’ side currently trails SPL leaders Al Ittihad by just four points. With 18 wins, 3 draws, and 4 losses, Al Hilal has accumulated a total of 57 points. But that’s not all—the Riyadh-based club also suffered elimination in the King Cup of Champions quarter-finals at the hands of Al Ittihad. On the bright side, things look promising in the AFC Champions League Elite tournament, where they have secured a spot in the quarter-finals.
CF Pachuca
Things aren’t looking too great for CF Pachuca, unlike last season when they impressed in the 2024 Club World Cup, making it to the final in December before falling 3-0 to Real Madrid. The Mexican side also claimed the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, despite finishing 11th in the Liga MX Apertura.
This season, however, has been a struggle. Across both Liga MX Apertura and Clausura, they have managed a combined record of 9 wins, 7 draws, and 13 defeats. Meanwhile, their Leagues Cup campaign is still a while away and won’t begin until after the Club World Cup.
Red Bull Salzburg
The 17-time Austrian champions have experienced both highs and lows this season. Domestically, they sit in third place in the Austrian Bundesliga with 19 points, courtesy of 10 wins, 8 draws, and 4 losses. However, their UEFA Champions League campaign was far from ideal. Hopes were high, but Salzburg failed to progress to the next round.
Thomas Letsch’s side finished 34th in the 36-team table, managing just one win in eight group-stage matches while suffering defeat in the other seven. Their struggles meant they didn’t even qualify for the Europa League.
Real Madrid
The kings of Europe need no introduction. Last season, they secured the La Liga title and claimed a record-extending 15th UEFA Champions League trophy with a comfortable 2-0 victory over a hopeful Borussia Dortmund. Their European triumph earned them a spot in the Club World Cup, where they emerged victorious with a 3-0 win over this year’s group foe, CF Pachuca.
This season, they show no signs of slowing down. While they are locked in a fierce domestic battle with Barcelona—both tied at 60 points, with the Catalans leading on goal difference—their UEFA Champions League campaign has also been successful so far. They narrowly advanced to the quarter-finals after edging past city rivals Atlético Madrid and are now set to face Arsenal.
Past Head-to-head meetings
As mentioned before, Real Madrid recently met CF Pachuca in the previous edition of the Club World Cup. Los Blancos secured an easy 3-0 win over the Liga MX side. Interestingly, the Spanish giants have also faced Al Hilal on one occasion in the 2022 Club World Cup Final, where Madrid battered the Saudi side 5-3.
RB Salzburg has also faced Real Madrid before but not in this tournament. Most recently, the Austrian side endured a 5-1 beating from Carlo Ancelotti’s side on Matchday 7 of the UEFA Champions League. Meanwhile, a friendly clash back in 2019 saw Madrid secure a narrow win.
Group H fixtures and schedule
Match
Where
When
Real Madrid C. F. v Al Hilal
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Wednesday, June 18, 15:00
CF Pachuca v FC Salzburg
TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
Wednesday, June 18, 18:00
Real Madrid C. F. v CF Pachuca
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
Sunday, June 22, 15:00
FC Salzburg v Al Hilal
Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
Sunday, June 22, 18:00
Al Hilal v CF Pachuca
GEODIS Park, Nashville
Thursday, June 26, 20:00
FC Salzburg v Real Madrid C. F.
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Thursday, June 26, 21:00
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